Convertible furniture



y 13, 1 K. J. FRAMPTON ETAL ,8

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE- Filed Dec. 1, 1954 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lllu y 1953 K. J. FRAMPTON ET AL 2,834,029

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed Dec. 1, 1954 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1953 K. J. FRAMPTON ETAL 2,834,029

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed Dec. 1, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet s y 13, 1958 K. J. FRAMPTON ETAL 2,834,029

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed Dec. 1, 1954 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Kenneth John Frampton and Max Silverberg, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignors to Exclusive Upholstering Company, Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a corporation of Canada Application December 1, 1954, Serial No. 472,464

Claims priority, application Canada August 27, 1954 8 Claims. (Cl. -47) This invention relates to an article of furniture and more specifically to an article of furniture convertible between seat and bed forming positions.

The acceptance by the public of furniture convertible between seat forming and bed forming positions has been limited by the difficulty of achieving the conversion of previously developed articles of this type. This difficulty has also resulted in considerable daily inconvenience to previous users of these articles.

The main object of this invention is to provide an article of furniture which is readily and conveniently convertible from one position to another. This is achieved by the depression of a lever such as a foot operated lever which initiates movement from one position to another. The completion of this movement automatically returns the lever to a raised position. In the preferred embodiment of this invention the foregoing operation is applicable both when the article of furniture is being converted to bed forming position and when it is being converted to seat forming position.

A further inventive feature presented by the preferred embodiment of this invention resides in the provision of a convertible article of furniture in which the backrest, and seat members move up into alignment with cushioned side arm members, having fiat upper surfaces, when the article is converted into bed forming position. The backrest seat and side arm members combine to provide an increased bed forming area. This represents an improvement over the various seats, chairs, davenports and the like with collapsing side arms which have previously been proposed in that an increased effective, bed forming area is achieved with side arms which are firm, even after an extended period of use, due to their being securely attached to the main framework. This further inventive feature is preferably provided in combination with the previously outlined feature of convenient lever operated conversion but is capable of separate use.

The preferred movement, particularly where the seat member is to be brought into alignment with the side arm members involves an elevation of the seat member to bed forming position. Another inventive feature, there fore, resides in a locking device to prevent conversion from bed forming to seat forming positions under the influence of surface loads. In the preferred construction a connecting member forming part of the mechanism for converting the article from one position to another is utilized together with a locking member to form a locking strut. Actuation of the operating lever to give conversion to seat forming position automatically releases this locking strut.

Further inventive features will be apparent from the detailed description which follows the preferred embodiment of this invention.

In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of this invention:

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of an article of Patented May 13, 19553 furniture in accordance with this invention when in davenport forming position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the article shown in Figure l with one of the side arms removed to reveal the operating mechanism.

Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 but shows the article in bed forming position.

Figure 3(a) is a detailed view of the locking strut in Figure 3.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line X--X of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line Y-Y of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the article in bed forming position regarded from the other side to Figure 3.

Figures 7(a), 7(b), 7(a) and 7(d) are diagrammatic side elevation views illustrating various stages in the conversion from seat forming to bed forming position and the reconversion to seat forming position.

The article of furniture contemplated as the preferred embodiment of this invention is convertible between davenport and bed forming positions although the operating mechanism which will be described could also be used for other articles of furniture having seat forming and bed forming positions such as a chair, convertible into a bed. In the case of a chair a single bed will be provided and the user willrecline across both the seat and backrest members. In the case of a davenport, a double bed will be provided upon which the users will usually recline longitudinally of the seat and backrest members respectively. The preferred embodiment has a particular advantage in the case of a davenport as the side arms can be used as extensions of the sleeping surface to enable a shorter davenport to be used than would otherwise be possible. Conventional convertible davenports are usually characterized by their extreme length which makes them unsuitable with respect to appearance for small rooms and sometimes entirely prevents their being located in a convenient position. Figure 1 illustrates a convertible davenport in accordance with this invention comprising a front skirt 16), which may be regarded as forming part of the supporting framework, seat member 11, backrest member 12, side arm members 13 and an exteriorly projecting portion 14 of an operating lever having a foot pedal 15. The seat member 11 is rearwardly and downwardly inclined for appearance and comfort and is of about the same length as that of a conventional unconvertible davenport so that the article will be of convenient dimensions and will closely simulate conventional unconvertible davenports. A suitable length would be five foot six inches. The backrest member 12 is a slight rearward inclination. The side arm members 13 have flat upper surfaces 16 to form extensions of the bed forming area and preferably their rear end portions extend beyond the backrest member 12 so that the side arm members 13 will be in a symmetrical central position when the article is in the form of a bed. A suitable width for each of the side arm members is nine inches so that the combined length of the article is seven feet. Seat member 11, backrest member 12 and the upper surfaces of side arm member 13 are upholstered for comfort.

Referring now to Figure 2, which is a side elevation view of the article shown in Figure l with the near side arm 13 removed to show the operating mechanism, the general framework 18 of the article includes side plates 19 adjacent to each end of the article. Backrest member 12 includes hinge plates 28 which are pivotally mounted by rivets 21 on side plates 19. The pivotal mounting provided by rivets 21 is at an intermediate position in the lower portion 22 of the backrest member so that the weight of the upper portion 23 of the backrest member assistswill exert a moment about rivets 21 during conversion to bed forming position and so that rearward tilting of the backrest member will raise the hinge connection between seat and backrest members, subsequently to be referred to. The seat member 11 is mounted on seat supporting arms 24 which are pivotally connected at 25 to side portion 26 of framework 18 and at 27 to the backing piece 2-55 of the seat member 11. The seat supporting arms are rearwardly, upwardly inclined when the article is in davenport forming position and one of the scat supporting arms has an upward extension 29. Arms 24 act to guide the seat forwardly and upwardly into bed forming position and could be replaced with a cam structure with appropriate modifications to other portions of the operating mechanism. Seat member 11 includes hinge plates 3% which are pivotally connected by rivets 31 to hinge plates 2% of the backrest member. When the article is in davenport forming position seat member 11 rests on the upper edges 32 of side frame members 26, these edges being shaped so that the seat member 11 will rest at a rearwardly inclined angle. Seat supports 33 which are used when the article is in bed forming position, as will subsequently be described are received within the body of the framework between side frame members 26 when the article is in davenport forming positicn. The seat supports 33 are conveniently in the form of short Z-shaped flanges one end branch 34 of which is attached to backing 23 and the other end branch 35 of which forms a resting surface. Wood or metal blocks could be used instead of the Z-shaped flanges.

Operating lever 36 is pivotally connected at 37 at its interior end to one end of connecting link 38, the other end of connecting link 38 being pivotally connected at 39 to extension 29 of the seat mounting; arms. Connecting link 38 is rearwardly downwardly inclined when the article is in davenport forming position so that when the lever 36 is operated to raise its interior end, seat mounting arm 24 will be biased forwardly. Operating lever 36 is also mounted by connecting member 49 on the hinge plate 20 of the backrest member. Rivets 41 and 42 provide pivotal connections for joining connecting member 40 to hinge plate 20 and operating lever 36 respectively. The connecting member 40 is joined to hinge plate 20 adjacent to the hinge point 31 so that this connecting member will be raised as the backrest member 12 tilts rearwardly. Connecting member 40 could alternatively be joined to hinge plate 30. A looking member 43 is pivotally connected to operating lever 36 by rivet 42 and to side plate 19 by rivet 44 to lock the article in bed forming position as will subsequently be described. A tension spring 45 is connected to lever 36 at 46 and to side plate 19 at 47 so that it lies forwardly of rivet 44 to assist in elfecting the locking action. A foot pedal 15 is hingedly mounted by pin 49 to the exteriorly projecting portion 14 of'the operating lever. A leaf spring 50 bears downwardly on pedal 15 automatically to locate the pedal in convenient position for operation but permitting the pedal to be raised to the position shown in Figure 2 if the article is backed close to a wall. The free end 51 of the pedal is curved upwardly so that the pedal will automatically move to a raised position if the article is backed against a wall. Figures 3, 4 and show the article in bed forming position. In this position the upper surface 52 of the seat 11, the inner or front surface 53 of the backrest member 12 and the upper surfaces 17 of the side arm members 13 are in level fiat bed forming position. The backward tilting of the backrest member 12 about its pivot point at rivet 21 has raised the hinge connection at 31 between the seat and backrest members and has accordingly raised the rear end of the seat member. The forward "movement of the seat member 11 initiated by operating lever 36 and completed by the forward movement of pivot point 31 'has caused seat supporting arms 24 to bias forwardly to bring the seat member 11 upwardly and forwardly. The bearing surface 35 of seat supporting member 33 rests on front skirt 10 for additional solidity. The backrest member rests on backing plate 54 as best shown in Figure 4. The forward biasing of arms 24 cause link 38 now to be rearwardly and upwardly inclined. The rearward tilting of the backrest member 12 has raised connecting member thereby raising the fulcrum point of lever 36 at rivet 42 and returning the lever to a raised position. Connecting member 40 together with locking member 43 provide a locking brace between hinge plate 26 and side plate 19 to prevent the bed from collapsing into davenport position under the influence of surface loads. The structure of this locking brace will be apparent from Figure 3(a), which is partly broken away. Connecting member 40 is secured by rivet 42 between the two parallel side pieces 55 and 56 of locking member 43. Side pieces 55 and 56 are joined by back piece 57 to form a channel shaped member. Back piece 57 provides a stop member to limit the relative rotation of members 40 and 43. Alternatively a stud or flange could be used to limit this relative rotation. The stud or flange could be mounted on member 43 which could consist of a single side piece 55 to engage member 40 or an extension of member 40. The stud or flange could also be mounted on member 49 to provide a stop for the movement of member 43. Relative rotation of members 40 and 43 past the stop member would result in the free end of lever 36 being raised, therefore a stop means can be provided by limiting the upward movement of lever 36. This upward movement of lever 36 can be limited by the dimensions of the guide referred to below. in this case the stop member such as back piece 57 can be omitted from members 40 and 43. When the article is in bed forming position rivet 42, as shown by Figure 3(a), lies slightly above a line joining rivets 41 and 44 so that a longitudinal compressive force on connecting member 40 will tend to force rivet 42 upwardly and will bring member 40 into abutment with back piece 57. Spring acts to insure that members 40 and 43 move into the locking brace position shown in Figure 3(a). It will be apparent from Figure 3 that depression of lever 36 while the article is in bed forming position will force rivet 42 below the line connecting rivet 41 and 44 thus "automatically releasing the locking brace. As shown in Figure 4 side plate 19 is formed with an upwardly extending slot 58 within which lever 36 moves between a depressed position and a raised position as shown in Figure 4. Other forms of vertical guide for lever 36 could be used or the guide can be omitted.

It is preferred that the locking brace structure previously described be used but it would, as an alternative, be possible to lock the article in bed forming position, and also if desired, in davenport forming position by providing a locking mechanism acting on operating lever 36. For example the guide slot 58 could be provided with lateral slots to enable lever 36 to be locked in any one of one or more desired positions.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the operating mechanism, the components of which have previously been described. It will be noted that side portion 26 of the frame work is inwardly spaced from side arms 13 to leave room for parts of the operating mechanism. Seat supporting arm 24 is joined by rivet 25 to side portion 26 and the upper portion of arm 24 is angled inwardly for connection by rivet 27 to seat backing member 28. Connecting link 38 is preferably in the form of a double link connected by rivets 39 and 37 to arm 24 and lever 36 respectively. Lever 36 is angled outwardly after its connection at rivet 37 to leave room for the connection at rivet 42 between the lever 36 and members 40 and 43. The forward portion of side plate 19 is inwardly located for connection with hinge plate 20 at'rivet 21, the rear portion of the side plate being angled outwardly and the end thereof being formed into a fiange 59 to contain the slot 58 for the lever arm. Figure 6 shows the side of the article which does not have the lever and locking mechanisms. The elements at this side of the article are side plate 19, which can be a simple plate, hinge plates 20 and 3t? hingedly connected at 31, the pivotal mounting 21 for backrest member 12, the supporting arm 24, which does not require an extension, for the seat member 11 and seat supporting member 33.

The various stages in the operation of the article are illustrated diagrammatically by Figures 7(a) to 'i'ta'). Figure 7(a) shows the article in davenport position, with seat 11 below side arms 13 and with backrest member 12 upright. Depression of the exterior end of lever 36 acts about the fulcrum at 42 to raise link 33 causing lever 24 to bias forwardly to the position shown in Figure 7(b). The consequent upward and forward movement of seat 11 tilts backrest member 12 rearwardly. This backward tilting of the backrest member raises hinge point 31 and also starts to raise the fulcrum at 42 of lever 36. The movement of the weight of the upper portion of the backrest member acts about 21 so that the backrest member swings into the flat bed forming position shown in Figure 7(a). This backward tilting of the backrest member raises the rear end of the seat member 11 and continues the forward and upward movement of the seat member 11 which is guided by arms 24. Seat supporting member 33 then rests on skirt i0 and seat, back and side arms are in level bed forming position. In this position arm 24 has been moved forwardly beyond the position to which it would be moved by the operating arm alone, causing link 33 to be upwardly and rearwardly inclined thus causing a slight raising of the extending portion of lever 36. A further raising ofthe operating lever is caused by the upward movement of link 4%, and hence the fulcrum 42 of the operating lever, after the inner end of lever 36 has reached its highest position and pivot point 37 has ceased to move upwards. Connecting member 4-9 and locking member 43 provide a locking strut action as has previously been described. Depression of the extending end of lever 36 when the article is as shown in Figure 7(0) releases the locking strut, and the depression of the lever acts about rivet 37 as a fulcrum to lower connecting member 40. This tilts backrest member 12 forwardly as shown in Figure 7(d). The forward biasing of backrest member 12 causes seat member 11 to move rearwardly and downwardly towards davenport forming position guided by arms 24. The momentum of the foregoing movement causes the article to move through the position shown in Figure 7(b) to the davenport forming position of Figure 7(a). With the completion of this movement arm 24 swings downwardly to a relatively small angle of inclination and link 38 becomes rearwardly inclined, these combining to lower pivot point 37. The lowering of pivot point 37 pivots lever 36 about point 42 to raise the outwardly extending portion of lever 36 to a raised position.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In an article of furniture convertible between seat and bed forming positions a framework, a backrest member pivotally mounted within said framework at pivot points intermediately positioned in the lower portion of the backrest member, a seat member, seat supporting means adapted to guide the seat member from a seat forming position forwardly and upwardly to a bed forming position, means pivotally connecting the inner end of the seat and the lower end of the backrest member, means including an operating lever for positively initiating forward and upward movement of the seat member while the article is in seat forming position, causing the backrest member to tilt rearwardly, the weight of the upper portion of the backrest member when tilted rearwardly acting through the pivotal connection between the backrest and seat members to complete the movement of the seat member to a raised forward'position in which the upper surface of the seat member and the front surface of the backrest member are in aligned level, bed forming position, means operably connecting said operating lever to the assembly constituted by said back rest member, said seat member and said means pivotally connecting the inner end of the seat and the lower end of the back rest member and co-operating with said means for positively initiating forward and backward movement of the seat member to return said operating lever substantially to its original position, means for locking said seat and backrest members in aligned position and means for returning the article from bed forming to seat forming position.

2. In an article of furniture convertible between seat bed forming positions a framework, a backrest member pivotally mounted within said framework at pivot points intermediately positioned in the lower portion of the backrest member, a seat member, seat supporting means adapted to guide the seat member from a seat forming position forwardly and upwardly to a bed forming position, means pivotally connecting the inner end of the seat and the lower end of the backrest member, a foot operated lever extending at one end exteriorly of the article, connecting means for mounting said lever on the backrest member means operably connecting the interior end of said lever to the seat member so that depression of the extreior end of the lever while the article is in seat forming position positively initiates forward and upward movement of the seat member, causing the backrest member to tilt rearwardly, the weight of the upper portion of the backrest member when tilted rearwardly acting through the pivotal connection between the backrest and seat members to complete the movement of the seat member to a raised forward position in which the upper surface of the seat member and the front surface of the backrest member are in aligned, level, bed forming position, the rearward tilting of the backrest member acting through said connecting means to return the lever to a raised position, depression of the exterior end of the lever while the article is in bed forming position acting through said connecting means to bias the backrest member forwardly, the forward biasing of the backrest member acting to move the seat member rearwardly and downwardly to seat forming position, the rearward and downward movement of the seat member acting to return the lever to a raised positron.

3. In an article of furniture, convertible between seat and bed forming positions a framework, a backrest member pivotally mounted within said framework at pivot points intermediately positioned in the lower portion of the backrest member, a seat member, seat supporting means adapted to guide the seat member from a seat forming position forwardly and upwardly to a bed forming position, means pivotally connecting the inner end of the seat and the lower end of the backrest member, a foot operated lever extending at one end exteriorly of the article, connecting means for mounting said lever on the backrest member, means operably connecting the interior end of said lever to the seat member so that depression of the exterior end of the lever, while the article is in seat forming position initiates forward and upward movement of the seat member, causing the backrest member to tilt rearwardly, the weight of the upper portion of the backrest member when tilted rearwardly acting through the pivotal connection between the backrest and seat members to complete the movement of the seat member to a raised forward position in which the upper surface of the seat member and the front surface of the backrest member are in aligned level, bed forming position, the rearward tilting of the backrest member acting through said connecting means to return the lever to a raised position depression of the exterior end of the lever while the article is in bed forming position acting through said connecting means to bias the backrest member forwardly, the forward biasing of the backrest member acting to move the seat member rearwardly and downwardly to seat forming position, the rearward and downward movement of the seat member acting to return the lever to a raised position, and a locking member pivotally joined to the framework and to the lever and acting together with the connecting means to form a locking strut between the lower end of the backrest member and the framework when the article is in bed forming position, said locking strut being releasable upon depression of the exterior end of the lever.

4. In an article of furniture convertible between davcn- 'port and bed forming positions a framework, cushioned side arms having fiat upper surfaces mounted on said framework, a backrest member pivotally mounted within said framework at pivot points intermediately positioned in the lower portion of the backrest member, a seat member, seat supporting means pivotally connected to the framework and to the seat member and adapted to bias forwardly from a rearwardly inclined davenport forming position to bring the seat upwards and forwards, one of said seat supporting means having an extension beyond its pivotal connection to the seat member, means pivotally connecting the inner end of the seat and the lower end 1 of the backrest member, a foot operated lever extending at one end exteriorly of the article, connecting means for mounting said lever on the backrest member, a connecting link operably connecting the interior end of said lever to the extension of one seat supporting means, so that depression of the exterior end of the lever while the article is in davenport position, with the upper surface of the seat member lower than the upper surfaces of the side arm members, initiates forward movement of the seat supporting means, causing the backrest member to tilt rearwardly, the weight of the upper position of the backrest member when tilted rearwardly acting through the pivotal connection between the backrest and seat members to complete the movement of the seat members to a raised forward position in which the upper surface of the seat member, the front surface of the backrest member and the upper surfaces of the side arm members are in aligned, level, bed forming position, the rearward tilting of the backrest member acting through said connecting means to return the lever to a raised position, depression of the exterior end of the lever while the article is in bed forming position acting through said connecting means to bias the backrest member forwardly, the forward biasing of the backrest member acting to move the seat member rearwardly and downwardly to davenport forming position, the rearward and downward movement of the seat members acting to return the lever to a raised position, and a locking member pivotally joined to the framework and to the lever and acting together with the connecting means to form a locking strut between the lower end of the backrest and the framework when the article is in bed forming position, said locking strut being releasable upon depression of the exterior end of the lever.

5. In an article of furniture convertible between seat and bed forming positions a framework, a backrest member pivotally mounted within said framework at pivot points positioned intermediately of the backrest member, a seat member, sea-t supporting means adapted to guide the seat member from a bed forming position rearwardly and downwardly to a seat forming position, means pivotally connecting the inner end of the seat and the lower end of the backrest member, an operating lever, connecting means between the operating lever and one of the seat and backrest members, said operating lever acting to bias the backrest member forwardly about its pivotal mounting within the framework, while the article is in bed forming position, the forward biasing of the backrest member acting through the pivotal connection between the backrest and seat members to move the seat member from a bed forming position to a seat forming position,

a locking member pivotally joined to the framework and the lever and acting together with said connecting means to form a locking strut between one of the seat and backrest members and the framework when the article is in bed forming position said locking strut being releasable upon actuation of the operating lever to convert the article from bed forming position to seat forming position.

6. In an article of furniture convertible between seat and bed forming positions, a framework, backrest and seat members hingedly connected to each other, means mounting said back rest and seat members within said framework for movement between seat and bed forming positions, an operating lever accessible from the exterior of the article and means operably coupling said lever to said back rest and seat members, said means mounting said back rest and seat members and said means operably coupling said lever to said back rest and seat members comprising a mechanical linkage operably coupling said lever, said framework and at least one of said back rest and seat members acting positively to cause the depression of the operating lever to initiate movement from one of said bed forming and seat forming positions to the other of said positions and said mechanical linkage acting to return the operating lever to a raised position under the influence of said backrest and seat members during the completion of the movement initiated by the depression of the operating lever.

7. In an article of furniture convertible between seat and bed forming positions a framework, backrest and seat members hingedly connected to each other, means mounting said back rest and seat members within said framework for movement between seat and bed forming positions, an operating lever accessible from the exterior of the article, means operably coupling said lever to said back rest and seat members, said means mounting said back rest and seat members and said means operably coupling said lever to siiid back rest and seat members, comprising a mechanical linkage operably coupling said lever, said framework and at least one of said back rest and seat members and acting positively to cause depression of the operating lever when the article is in bed forming. position to initiate movement of the back rest and seat members towards seat forming position and said mechanical linkage acting to return the operating lever to a raised position under the influence of said back rest and seat members during the completion of the movement initiated by the depression of the operating lever, locking means connecting said framework to at least one of said back rest and seat members to prevent conversion of said article from bed forming position to seat forming position under the influence of surface loads, means operably coupling said operating lever to said locking means to disengage said locking means for conversion of the article from bed forming to seat forming positions.

8. In an article of furniture convertible between seat and bed forming positions a framework, back rest and seat members hingedly connected to each other, means mounting said back rest and seat members within said framework for movement between seat and bed forming positions, an operating lever accessible from the exterior of the article and means operably couplingsaid lever to said back rest and seat members, said means mounting said back rest and seat members and said means operably coupling said lever to said back rest and seat members comprising a mechanical linkage operably coupling said lever, said fram work and at least one of said back rest and seat members and acting positively to cause depression of the operating lever when the article is in seat forming position to initiate movement of the back rest and seat members towards bed forming position and said mechanical linkage acting to return the operating lever to a raised position under the influence of said back rest and seat members during the completion of the movement initiated by the depression of the operating lever, locking means connecting said framework to at least one 9 10 of said back rest and seat members to prevent return of References Cited in the file of this patent the article from a bed forming to a seat forming position UNITED STATES PATENTS under the influence of surface loads and means connect- D ing said locking means to said lever to engage said lock- 138L930 U350 1934 ing means to prevent the article from returning to seat 5 2,136,830 9 1938 giggling position when the article is in bed forming posig ig i E5 2,663,354 Bell Dec. 22, 1953 

